So far, 2009 has been a blockbuster year for fighting game fans, with the largest boost of accessory sales, pushed by none other than Capcom's Street Fighter 4.
From Hori, Mad Catz and MAS Pro Fighting sticks, everyone has seen record sales, which the industry hasn't experienced in quite some time. Thank you Capcom and despite some doubts about the effectiveness of a 3-D Street Fighter, once again, you've proved many wrong, including some of us here at S-C.com.
With E3 rolling around the corner (with it's layout going back to the original format and location, Los Angeles Convention Center), what should we expect to see that will make us want to go out and spend more money?
We're still waiting on SNK's KOF XII, which will see it's home console release with a few months for both PS3 and Xbox 360, so expect fans to continue to scramble for new parts and sticks. The bad news, everyone is still waiting on replenished product from the major stick manufacturer's. The good news, there will be some key products out from two of the three stick manufacturers that will enhance the fighting game experience tremendously. These will be announced at E3. We suggest you stop by Hori's booth to check out what's coming.
And as a bonus, anyone know what's SNK's status on E3? Most may know that Ignition is distributing SNK's future home titles and because of this, SNK themselves will not have an official booth, but executives will be in attendance for meeting purposes.
What's this? Another new fighter from SNK? Not too surprising, but when and what? Well, consider it 'new-old.' Mark of the Wolves sequel? Nope (not yet, at least). Battle Coliseum sequel? Not quite. How about World Heroes sequel? No chance. Take two of their previous fighters, put them together, with all new graphics (ahem, 2-D, not 3-D), new game engine, storyline and you have yourself a 'new-old' fighter. All we know for sure is the announcement will NOT be made at E3 as normal SNK releases generally is made for the arcade market first. So expect news leaks from JP Publications in the upcoming months in between E3 and the Tokyo Game Show 2009. Pix and footage will surely be available by then.
For now, we have a plethora of fighters to play and with KOF XII looming around the corner for the home online market, keep on gaming, save your money (because you're surely spend it on what's coming for SNK and Capcom) and take it all in as one of the most extraordinary years we have seen for the fighting game industry in quite some time.
Capcom and music for relief teamed up to have some of the best artist in the nation create some limited edition Street Fighter Arcade cabinets. These cabinets are currently on eBay starting at $650.00. Some of the artist include MEAR ONE, Jim Mahfood I AM 8-BIT, and more. 100% of proceeds from this Street Fighter IV auction will benefit Music for Relief’s aid to victims of the catastrophic bushfires in Victoria, Australia.
QUOTE: " On February 12th, Capcom celebrated the release of Street Fighter IV and 20 years of Street Fighter history. As a part of the festivities artists were invited to create custom designs on Street Fighter Arcade Game Cabinets. The artwork on these machines was done at the The Geffen Contemporary at Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles over approximately 4 days."
